Adjustable support for firearms

ABSTRACT

An adjustable support for a firearm includes an extension shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a central axis, and a plurality of engagement features formed at a plurality of axial locations between the distal end and the proximal end. A housing assembly is configured to house the extension shaft and defines a reference datum. At least one locking member is operatively associated with the housing assembly and is configured selectively engage the engagement features. An actuator is operatively associated with the housing assembly such that translation of the actuator relative to the central axis moves the locking members into and out of engagement with the engagement features on the extension shaft. Rotation of the actuator relative about the central axis moves the distal end of the extension shaft away from the housing assembly.

BACKGROUND

1. The Field of the Invention

The present application generally relates to adjustable supports forfirearms, such as monopods and bipods.

2. The Relevant Technology

Modern firearms make use of cartridges that include a projectile seatedin a casing. The casing has an internal cavity defined therein thatcontains a charge of rapidly combusting powder. A primer is seated in arecess formed in a rear portion of the casing. A hole in the primercasing places the primer in communication with the internal cavitycontaining the power. A projectile is seated in the front portion of thecasing such that the powder is more or less sealingly contained in thecasing between the primer and the projectile.

An action, such as a bolt action, is used to advance the cartridge intoa firing chamber ahead of firing. While in the firing chamber, a firingpin strikes the primer, causing the primer to ignite. The ignition isdirected to the powder, which burns within the casing. The powderburning within the casing generates a rapidly expanding gas. Thepressure generated by the rapidly expanding gas propels the projectilefrom the casing and through the barrel of the firearm toward an intendedimpact point. A sight is used to allow an operator to aim the projectileto the intended impact point.

For example, optical sights are often used that make use of an aimingpoint that is projected onto the intended target. Often, the opticalsights provide magnification for the operator to view an intended impactpoint at long range more clearly and thus allow the operator to shootmore accurately. While magnification allows the operator to see intendedtargets at extended range more clearly, the field of view the operatoris able to see at that range can be relatively small. Further,relatively small movements or variations in the orientation of thefirearm can result in large variations in the actual impact point of theprojectile.

Accordingly, operators often take several measures to steady the rifleat the desired orientation. Often, a bipod is used with the front stockand the operator then supports the butt end of the stock. While such asystem supports the front end of the rifle, small variations in theorientation of the rear end of the rifle can also yield unsatisfactoryresults.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments thatsolve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such asthose described above. Rather, this background is only provided toillustrate one exemplary technology area where some examples describedherein may be practiced.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An adjustable support for a firearm includes an extension shaft having adistal end, a proximal end, a central axis, and a plurality ofengagement features formed at a plurality of axial locations between thedistal end and the proximal end. A housing assembly is configured tohouse the extension shaft and defines a reference datum. At least onelocking member is operatively associated with the housing assembly andis configured selectively engage the engagement features. An actuator isoperatively associated with the housing assembly such that translationof the actuator relative to the central axis moves the locking membersinto and out of engagement with the engagement features on the extensionshaft. Rotation of the actuator relative about the central axis movesthe distal end of the extension shaft away from the reference datumassociated with the housing assembly.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is itintended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimedsubject matter.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. Thefeatures and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained bymeans of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out inthe appended claims. These and other features of the present inventionwill become more fully apparent from the following description andappended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention asset forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of thepresent invention, a more particular description of the invention willbe rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention willbe described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an firearm into which a monopod can be implementedaccording to one example;

FIG. 2A illustrates an assembled perspective view of a monopod accordingto one example;

FIG. 2B illustrates an exploded view of the monopod of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the monopod of FIGS. 2Aand 2B in a first state taken along section 2C-2C of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D illustrates a view of the monopod of FIGS. 2A-2C taken along thesame section as FIG. 2A in which the monopod is in a second state;

FIG. 3 illustrates an isolated cross-sectional view of the extensionshaft of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 4 illustrates an isolated cross-sectional view of the first housingmember of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 5 illustrates an isolated cross-sectional view of the secondhousing member of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 6 illustrates an isolated perspective view of the third housingmember of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 7A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the monopod shown in FIGS.2A-2E in an locked, retracted state;

FIG. 7B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the monopod of FIG. 7A inan unlocked, retracted state;

FIG. 7C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the monopod of FIGS. 7A-7Bin partially extended, unlocked position;

FIG. 7D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the monopod of FIGS. 7A-7Cin partially extended, locked position; and

FIG. 7E illustrates a cross-sectional view of the monopod of FIGS. 7A-7Din partially extended, locked position in which the actuator is rotatedwhile locked to adjust the extension of the distal end of the extensionshaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A monopod and rifle stocks including monopods are provided herein thatprovide both incremental adjustment as well as infinite adjustment forthe extension of an extension shaft along an axis relative to areference datum. The incremental adjustment as well as the infiniteadjustment are controlled and manipulated by a single actuator. In atleast one example, the actuator is a knob that is moved parallel to theaxis to control the incremental adjustment while the knob can rotatedrelative to the central axis to provide infinite adjustment. Such aconfiguration can allow an operator to quickly extend the extensionshaft to near a desired extension using the incremental adjustment andthen to fine tune the position of the extension shaft with the infiniteadjustment to the final desired position. Additional adjustments can beperformed quickly using the same process.

In at least one example, rotation of the actuator is isolated from theextension shaft. Such a configuration can further increase the speed ofmoving the extension shaft to the desired extension by reducing thelikelihood that fine adjustments of the shaft will result in anunintended change in the orientation of the associated firearm due tomovement of the extension shaft relative to the ground due to rotation.

In other examples, the actuator can have a different configuration suchthat transverse or lateral movement of the actuator or some portion ofthe actuator relative to the shaft controls incremental adjustment. Suchexamples can include protrusions that are moved laterally to engage anddisengage corresponding recesses in the extension shaft. For ease ofreference, exemplary monopod configurations will be discussed that inwhich locking members are moved radially inward and outward by axialtranslation of an actuator, though it will be appreciated that otherconfigurations can be provided without departing from the scope of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a firearm system 100 accordingto one example that includes a stock 110, a barrel 120, an action 130,and a magazine 140. The action 130 is operatively associated with thebarrel 110. In the illustrated example, a bolt-type action is shown. Itwill be appreciated that in other examples, other types of actions, suchas pump-type actions, recoil-operated actions, gas-operated actions, aswell as any other type of actions can be operatively associated with anytypes of actions.

Regardless of the type, cycling of the action 130 moves a cartridge intoposition to be fired and removes the casing after the cartridge has beenfired. For example, forward operation of the action 130 can move acartridge through a breech and into position with the barrel 130.Thereafter, a trigger 150 can be actuated to release a firing pin in theaction 130. The firing pin (not shown) strikes a primer, which ignitesgun powder in a casing to propel a projectile through the barrel 120.

In the illustrated example, the stock 110 generally includes a fore-end110A and a butt-end 110B. A monopod 160 is coupled to or integrated withthe butt-end 110B of the stock 110. As will be discussed in more detailbelow, the monopod 200 is configured to move between an extended stateand a retracted state. For ease of reference, discussion will be made toproximal and distal portions of the monopod in which a proximal portionis nearer the butt-end 110B than a corresponding distal portion.

The monopod 160 may be configured to allow an operator to quickly movethe monopod 160 to any state between the fully retracted and fullyextended states shown and discussed below through the use of incrementaland infinite adjustments. In the example shown and discussed in moredetail below, the monopod includes an actuator, shown as a knob (andhereinafter referred to as a knob for ease of reference) that controlsboth the incremental as well as infinite adjustments.

For example, actuator can be moved parallel to axis C to controlincremental adjustments and can be rotated about axis C to controlinfinite adjustment. Such a configuration can allow for independentincremental and infinite adjustments using the same actuator. Oneexemplary monopod will be described in more detail below.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a monopod 200 according to oneexample, FIG. 2B illustrates an exploded view of the monopod 200, andFIGS. 2C and 2D illustrate cross-sectional views of the monopod 200taken along section 2C-2C of FIG. 2A. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, themonopod 200 generally includes an extension shaft 300, a first housingmember 400, a second housing member 500, a third housing member 600, afoot pad 270 and an actuator 280. By way of introduction, the extensionshaft 300 is configured to be positioned at least partially within thefirst housing member 400.

The monopod 200 includes an extension spring 210, a spring guide 215,and a retaining clip 220 that are configured to be positioned within thefirst housing member 400 to allow the extension spring 210 to exert abiasing force against the extension shaft 300 to urge the extensionshaft 300 distally out of the first housing member 400. The extension ofthe extension shaft 300 will be described with reference to a referencedatum R associated with the third housing 600, though it will beappreciated that the extension of the extension shaft 300 can bedescribed with reference to any desired structure.

The first housing member 400 is configured to be positioned at leastpartially within the second housing member 500. The monopod 200 includeslocking members 230, a retention spring 240, and a retaining clip 250.The locking members 230 are configured to be positioned between thefirst housing member 400 and the second housing member 500. The firsthousing member 400 and the second housing member 500 include featuresthat house the locking members 230 in such a manner that relative axialmovement between the first housing member 400 and the second housingmember 500 moves the locking members 230 in to and out of engagementwith the extension shaft 300. When the locking members are in engagementwith the extension shaft 300, the monopod 200 will be described as beingin a locked state. Similarly, when the locking members 230 are out ofengagement with the extension shaft 300 the monopod 200 will bedescribed as being in an unlocked state.

The retention spring 240 and the retaining clip 250 couple the firsthousing member 400 and the second housing member 500 in such a manner asto allow the first housing member 400 and the second housing member 500to move between the unlocked and locked state while exerting a biasingforce therebetween to move them to a desired one of the unlocked andlocked positions.

In the illustrated example, the retention spring 240 can be configuredto bias the first housing member 400 and second housing member 500toward a locked state. The relative positions described below areprovided for ease of illustration only. It will be appreciated that thecomponents can be configured differently, located in different positionsand/or moved in different directions to achieve the same functionalitydescribed below without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Theconfigurations of the extension shaft 300, the first housing member 400,the second housing member 500, and the third housing member 600 willeach be discussed in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6in conjunction with a discussion of the assembly of these elements withreference to FIG. 2C.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the extension shaft 300 taken alongsection 3-3 of FIG. 2B. As shown in FIG. 3, the extension shaft 300generally includes a distal end 300A and a proximal end 300B. As shownin FIG. 3, at least a portion of the proximal end 300B can be generallyhollow. In particular, a spring lumen 310 extends distally from theproximal end 300B.

In the illustrated example, the spring lumen 310 can be sized to receiveat least a portion of the ejection spring 210 and the spring guide 215(both seen in FIG. 2B). The spring guide lumen 320 can be sized toconstrain distal movement of at least a portion of the spring guide 215(FIG. 2A). Accordingly, the spring lumen 310 can have a larger diameterthan the spring guide lumen 320 such that a shoulder 325 is formed atthe transition between the spring lumen 310 and the spring guide lumen320. As a result, one or more lumens can extend distally from theproximal end 300B of the extension shaft 300 to house and/or guide theejection spring 210 and/or the spring guide 215.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the spring guide 215 generally includes a distalend 215A and a proximal end 215B. The proximal end 215B can have ashoulder 217 formed thereon. The ejection spring 210 can be positionedon the spring guide 215 and in contact with the shoulder 217.

As illustrated in FIG. 2C, when the monopod 200 is assembled, the springguide 215 extends proximally of the proximal end 300B of the extensionshaft 300. Further, the ejection spring 210 is positioned between theshoulder 217 on the spring guide 215 and the shoulder 325 formed at theproximal end of the spring guide lumen 320 while the extension shaft 300translates freely with respect to the spring guide 215. As a result,proximal movement of the extension shaft 300 toward the shoulder 217 ofthe spring guide 215 compresses the ejection spring 210. As the ejectionspring 210 is compressed, the ejection spring 210 exerts a biasing forceon the extension shaft 300 by way of the shoulder 325. The extensionshaft 300 is configured to engage one or more locking member, such asthe locking member 230, to lock the extension shaft 300 in a desiredaxial position within the monopod 200 despite the biasing force.

More specifically, as particularly shown in FIG. 3, the extension shaft300 can also include external features configured to engage a lockingfeature. The external features are positioned at a plurality of discreteaxial locations between the distal end 300A and the proximal end 300B.The external features can have any desired configuration to engage anynumber of locking features in any desired manner to constrain the axialdisplacement of the extension shaft 300. In the illustrated example, theexternal features are configured to receive at least a portion of thereceiving members.

In particular, the external features can include a plurality of grooves330 formed by alternating ridges 332 and recesses 334 configured toreceive at least a portion of the locking members 230. For example, therecesses 334 may be sized and shaped to have at least a portion of thelocking member seated 230 therein. FIG. 2C illustrates a situation inwhich the locking members 230 have been moved radially inward to engagethe extension shaft 300. As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, as the lockingmembers 230 are moved into engagement with the extension shaft 300, thelocking members 230 can be moved radially inward past the ridges 332 andinto seating engagement with the recesses 334.

While locking members 230 are seated in the recesses 334, the ridges 332can help prevent unintended axial movement of a locking member 230. Thegrooves 330 can also be shaped to facilitate movement of the lockingmembers 230 into and out of contact with the grooves 330. In particular,each groove 330 can have angled sides 336, 338 that guide the lockingmembers 230 into the groove 330 if an edge of the locking member 230 isslightly out of alignment with the center of a particular recess 334.

As shown in FIG. 2C, engagement between the locking members 230 and theangled sides 336, 338 (FIG. 3) and between the locking members 230 andthe first housing member 400 is sufficient to constrain the axialposition of the extension shaft 300 with respect to the first housing400 in opposition to the biasing force exerted by the ejection spring210. Accordingly, the extension shaft 300 can be configured to engage alocking member 230 to secure the extension shaft 300 at a desired axialposition within the first housing member 400. Structure associated withthe first housing member 400 for constraining movement of the springguide 215 will first be discussed, followed by a discussion ofconstraining axial movement of the extension shaft 300 in which thespring guide 215 provides a base from which a biasing force is exertedon the extension shaft 300.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of the first housing member400 taken along section 4-4 of FIG. 2B. The general structure of thefirst housing member 400 will first be discussed, followed by adiscussion of the configuration of the first housing member 400 forcooperating with the locking members 230, and then a discussion of theconfiguration of the first housing member 400 for cooperating with thesecond housing member 500.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first housing member 400 can include ashaft 402 that extends distally from a proximal end 400B. The firsthousing member 400 can further include a radially protruding portion,such as a flared skirt 404 that is positioned distally from or extendsfrom the shaft 402. In at least one example, an axial length of theshaft 402 can be greater than an axial length of the second housingmember 500 (FIG. 2C). In the illustrated example, the flared skirt 404extends from the shaft 402 adjacent a distal end 400A of the firsthousing member 400.

Further, the first housing member 400 has an extension shaft lumen 410defined therein that extends proximally from the distal end 400A. In theillustrated example, the extension shaft lumen 410 extends from thedistal end 400A through the proximal end 400B of the first housingmember 400 to form an inner surface 412 and an outer surface 414. Inother examples, the extension shaft lumen 410 does not extend completelythrough the first housing member 400.

As previously discussed, the first housing member 400 includes structureto constrain the axial movement of the spring guide 200 (FIGS. 2B, 2C)and to help constrain proximal movement of the spring guide 215 inparticular. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a retaining clip receiving groove420 is defined in the inner surface 412 and is positioned proximally ofthe distal end 400A. The retaining clip receiving groove 420 can bepositioned proximally of the distal end 400A of the first housing member400. For example, the retaining clip receiving groove 420 can be definedadjacent the proximal end 400B of the first housing member 400.

As illustrated in FIG. 2C, the retaining clip 220 can be positionedwithin the retaining clip receiving groove 420 (FIG. 4). When the springguide 215 is positioned relative to the extension shaft 300 and theextension shaft 300 is positioned within the first housing member 400,the shoulder 217 of the spring guide 215 abuts the retaining clip 220 toconstrain proximal, axial movement of the spring guide 215 relative tothe first housing member 400. Such a configuration can provide a basefrom which the ejection spring 210 is able to exert a biasing force onthe extension shaft 300.

Engagement between the locking members 230 and the extension shaft 300can act to control the ejection of the extension shaft 300, as will nowbe discussed in more detail with reference to FIG. 2C and FIG. 4. Asillustrated in FIGS. 2C and 4, the first housing member 400 includes aplurality of receiving recesses 430 in communication with the extensionshaft lumen 410. Each of the receiving recesses 430 is configured toallow a locking member 230 to pass at least partially therethrough andinto engagement with the extension shaft 300 as introduced above. Anystructure, device, or combinations thereof can be implemented toselectively move the locking member 230 or any other structure in andout of engagement with the extension shaft 300. In the illustratedexample, the locking member 230 is moved into engagement with theextension shaft 300 by axial translation of the second housing member400 relative to the second housing member 500.

The first housing member 400 also includes structure configured to helpcontrol the axial position and translation of the second housing member500 relative to first housing member 400. As shown in FIG. 4, the firsthousing member 400 includes an external retaining clip groove 440defined proximally of the distal end 400A, such as adjacent the proximalend 400B. The retaining clip groove 440 and the flared skirt 404 cancooperate to allow the first housing member 400 to translate axiallyrelative to the second housing member 500 (FIG. 2C) to selectively movethe locking members 230 (FIG. 2C) in and out of engagement with theextension shaft 300 (FIG. 2C). These interactions will be discussed inmore detail after a brief discussion of an exemplary structure of thesecond housing member 500.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of the second housing member500. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the second housing member 500 includes ashaft 510 that extends at least partially between a distal end 500A andthe proximal end 500B. The shaft 510 can be sized to receive the firsthousing member 400 (FIG. 2C).

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the second housing member 500 includes a lumen520 defined therein. The lumen 520 extends from a distal end 500A towarda proximal end 500B of the second housing member 500. In the illustratedexample, the lumen 520 extends substantially through the second housingmember 500 such that the second housing member 500 has a generallytubular shape thereby causing the second housing member 500 to have aninner surface 530 and an outer surface 540. The inner surface 530includes features formed therein that cause axial movement of the secondhousing member 500 to result in radial movement of the locking members230 (FIG. 2C). These can include any combination of protrusions,recesses, or any other structure.

For example, an annular groove 532 can be defined in the inner surface530 that is in communication with the lumen 510. The annular groove 532has a larger diameter than the lumen 510 adjacent the annular groove532. As will be described in more detail below, such a configurationallows the annular groove 532 to receive at least a portion of thelocking members 230 (FIG. 2C) therein when the annular groove 532 ismoved into alignment with the locking members 230.

The annular groove 532 can be moved into and out of proximity with thelocking members 230 by axial translation of the first housing member 400relative to the second housing member 500. The coupling of the firsthousing member 400 to the second housing member 500 will now bediscussed in more detail, followed by a more detailed discussion of theinteraction between the locking members 230, the extension shaft 300,the first housing member 400, and the second housing member 500.

Referring now to FIGS. 2B-2C, the first housing member 400 can besecured to the second housing member 500 in any suitable manner. In atleast one example, the locking members 230 can be positioned in thereceiving recess 430 (FIG. 4). Thereafter, the shaft 402 of the firsthousing member 400 can be passed through the second housing member 500.As the shaft 402 passes through the shaft second housing member 402,engagement between the inner surface 520 and the annular groove 522allows the locking members 230 to move radially inward and outward,respectively, through the receiving recesses 430.

In the illustrated example, the shaft 402 of the first housing member400 can be passed through the second housing member 500 until theexternal retaining clip groove 440 is positioned proximally of theproximal end 500B of second housing member 500. The retention spring 240is then placed over the shaft 402. Thereafter, the retaining clip 250 isthen secured to the external retaining clip groove 440. With theretaining clip 250 in place, distal movement of the first housing member400 is resisted by compression of the retention spring 240 between theproximal end 500B of the second housing member 500 and the retainingclip 250.

As previously introduced, the first housing member 400 also includes aflared skirt 404. As shown in FIG. 2C, engagement between the flaredskirt 404 and a distal end 500A of the second housing member 500 canconstrain proximal movement of the first housing member 400 relative tothe second housing member 500. Further, as previously introduced, theshaft 402 can be longer than the second housing member 500. As a result,when positioned between the retaining clip 250 and the proximal end 500Aof the second member 500 as described above, the retention spring 240can be positioned to move the flared skirt 404 toward engagement withthe distal end 500A of the second housing member 500 as a defaultposition. Accordingly, the first housing member 400 can be moveddistally relative to the second housing member 500 by compressing theretention spring 240, such as by drawing the flared skirt 404 away fromthe distal end 500A of the second housing member 500.

FIG. 2D illustrates a view of the monopod 200 in which the first housingmember 400 has been displaced distally relative to the second housingmember 500 to thereby move the receiving recesses 430 (FIG. 4) intoalignment with the annular groove 532 (FIG. 5). The first housing member400 and second housing member 500 can be thus aligned to allow thelocking members 230 to be displaced radially outward into the annulargroove 532.

In particular, the locking members 230 can be displaced radially outwardin response to engagement between the locking member 230 and somestructure in contact with the inner surface 412 of the first housingmember 400. In other examples, biasing members can bias the lockingmembers 230 radially inward or radially outward as desired. In theillustrated example, one such structure can include the ridges 332 ofthe grooves 330 (both seen in FIG. 3). As a result, while the firsthousing member 400 is aligned relative to the second housing member 500as shown in FIG. 2D, the locking members 230 can be displaced radiallyoutward to allow the extension shaft 300 to translate within the firsthousing member 400.

Initially, the first housing member 400 can be thus aligned to allowsthe extension shaft 300, the extension spring 210, and the spring guide215 to be positioned within the extension lumen shaft 410 as shown inFIG. 2D. After the extension shaft 300, the extension spring 210, andthe spring guide 215 are positioned in the second housing member 400,returning the components of the monopod 200 to the relative positionsshown can act to release the extension shaft 300 from the first housingmember 400.

The first housing member 400 can be returned to a position relative tothe second housing member 500 as shown in FIG. 2C to secure theextension shaft 300 within the first housing member 400. As the firsthousing member 400 is returned to the position shown in FIG. 2C,engagement between the inner surface 412 adjacent the receiving recesses430 drives the locking member 230 radially inward and into engagementwith the extension shaft 300.

Accordingly, movement of the first housing member 400 axially relativeto the second housing member 500 between the positions shown in FIG. 2Cand FIG. 2D, allows the locking members 230 to selectively engage theextension shaft 300 at various axial locations along its length.Selectively engaging the extension shaft 300 in such a manner can thusallow for rapid, incremental adjustments of the position of the distalend 300A extension shaft 300 relative to a stationary reference datum R,such as a proximal end 600B of the third housing member 600.

As previously introduced, the monopod 200 is also configured to provideinfinite adjustment which may be manipulated with the same actuator thatcontrols incremental adjustment. Exemplary structure associated withinfinite adjustments will first be discussed, followed by a discussionof the manipulation of the actuator associated with both the incrementalas well as the infinite adjustments.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second housing member 500 also includes featuresconfigured to interact with other features of the monopod to provideinfinite adjustment of the extension of the extension shaft 300. Asshown in FIG. 5, the second housing member 500 can include a threadedportion 540 formed on the outer surface 530 of the proximal end 500B.Referring now to FIG. 2B, the threaded portion 540 can be configured toengage corresponding features in the third housing member 600 such thatrotation of second housing member 500 moves the second housing member500 axially relative to the reference datum R. The extension shaft 300and associated components can be coupled to the second housing member500 in such a manner that the extension shaft 300 and associatedcomponents move with the second housing member 500 as it moves axiallyrelative to the third housing member 600. Accordingly, rotation of thesecond housing member 500 relative to the third housing member 600 movesthe extension shaft 300, and thus the distal end 300A thereof, axiallyrelative to the reference datum R.

FIG. 6 illustrates the third housing member 600 in more detail. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, the third housing member 600 can include a distalend 600A and a proximal end 600B. A lumen 610 is defined in the distalend 600A that extends proximally to define an inner surface 620. Athreaded portion 622 can be formed on the inner surface 620 that isconfigured to have the threaded portion 540 of the second housing member500 (both shown in FIG. 5) coupled thereto.

The proximal end 600B of the third housing member 600 can include astock interface 630. The stock interface 630 can have any configurationthat allows the third housing member 600 to be secured to the stock 110(FIG. 1) in any desired fashion, such as to allow the second housingmember 500 to rotate relative to the third housing member 600. Aspreviously discussed, rotation of the second housing member 500 (FIG. 5)relative to the third housing member 600 can control the infiniteadjustment of the position of the distal end 300A of the extension shaft300 relative to the reference datum R.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the footpad 270 can be secured to the distal end300A of the extension shaft 300 by way of a fastener 272. In otherexamples, the footpad 270 can be integrally formed with the extensionshaft 300. The footpad 270 can be configured to interface with theground or another stationary surface.

As previously introduced, the incremental adjustment and infiniteadjustments can be made by manipulating a single actuator, such as theknob 280 shown in FIG. 2B. As shown in FIG. 2B, the knob 280 includes anannular portion 282 and knob tabs 284 extending inward from the annularportion 282. The knob tabs 284 form a recess 286 having a diameter thatis less than the diameter of the flared skirt 404 and greater than theshaft 402. Such a configuration allows the knob 280 to pass over theshaft 402 and into engagement with the flared skirt 404. Further, such aconfiguration allows the knob 280 to rotate about the shaft 402.

As also shown in FIG. 2B, knob slots 288 are defined between the knobtabs 284. The knob slots 288 and knob tabs 284 can be configured tocooperate with corresponding housing tabs 550 and housing slots 560formed in the distal end 500A of the second housing member 500. Inparticular, the knob slots 284 can extend through the housing slots 560and the housing tabs 550 can extend into the knob slots 288. Such aconfiguration can allow engagement between the knob tabs 284 and theknob slots 288 such that rotation of the knob 280 can result in rotationof the second housing member 500.

In at least one example, the length of the housing slots 560 can begreater than the thickness of the knob 280. The relative length of thehousing slots 560 can allow the knob 280 to move axially independentlyfrom the second housing member 500. Accordingly, axial movement of theknob 280 causes the knob tabs 284 to engage and move the first housingmember 400 axially while causing minimal or no axial movement of thesecond housing member 500 axially while rotation of the knob member 280can result in rotation of the second housing member 500 while causingminimal or no rotation of the first housing member 400.

The axial movement can be sufficient to cause the locking members 230 tomove in and out of engagement with the extension shaft 300 to allow forincremental adjustments of the extension of the distal end 300A of theextension shaft 300 relative to the reference datum R. The rotation ofthe second housing member 500 causes the second housing member 500, andthus the distal end 300A of the extension shaft 300, to move axiallyrelative to the reference datum R to thereby provide infiniteadjustments. As a result, incremental and infinite adjustments can bemade using a single actuator. One exemplary process will now bedescribed in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 7A-7E.

FIG. 7A illustrates the monopod 200 in a locked and fully retractedstate. The detailed interaction of the various components has beendescribed in more detail above. For ease of reference, engagementbetween various components will be described generally, though it willbe appreciated that the interactions and engagement may be similar tothose described above. The locked aspect of the state shown in FIG. 7Awill first be discussed, followed by a discussion of the fully retractedaspect.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the retention spring 240 can exert a biasing forceto move the first housing member 400 proximally relative to the secondhousing member 500. Drawing the first housing member 400 proximallyplaces the locking members 230 in engagement with the inner surface 520adjacent the annular groove 522. Engagement between the locking members230 and the inner surface 520 moves the locking members 230 radiallyinward through the first housing member 400 and into locking engagementwith the extension shaft 300. As shown in FIG. 7A, engagement betweenthe flared skirt 404 and the knob 280 and/or between the knob 280 andthe second housing member 500 limits further proximal movement of thefirst housing member 400 relative to the second housing member 500.Accordingly, the retention spring 240 can act to move the monopod 200toward a locked state.

In the fully retracted position, the foot pad 270 is spaced a firstdistance 710 from the reference datum R. With the foot pad 270 spacedthe first distance 710 from the reference datum R, the extension spring210 can be compressed between the spring guide 215 and the extensionshaft 300 to cause the extension spring 210 to exert an ejection forceon the extension shaft 300 that acts to move the extension shaft 300 andthus the foot pad 270 distally away from the reference datum R.Engagement between the locking members 230 and the extension shaft 300resists the ejection force provided by the extension spring 210.

In order to move the monopod 200 from a locked state to an unlockedstate, the knob 280 is moved distally as shown in FIG. 7B. As the knob280 moves distally it does so in opposition to the basing force exertedby the retentions spring 240 described above. Further, as the knob 280moves distally, it acts on the flared skirt 404 to also move the firsthousing member 400 distally relative to the second housing member 500.As the second housing member 400 moves from the position shown in FIG.7A to the position shown in FIG. 7B, the locking members 230 are able tomove radially outward into the annular grooves 522 and thus out ofengagement with the extension shaft 300.

While the locking member 230 are out of engagement with the extensionshaft 300, the ejection force exerted by the extension spring 210 movesthe extension shaft 300 distally relative to the first housing member400, as shown in FIG. 7C. An approximate separation 720 between the footpad 270 and the reference datum R due to the ejection force can bedetermined by a proximally acting force acting on the footpad 270. Forexample, the approximate separation 720 can be established by contactbetween the foot pad 270 and the ground or anything else to providesufficient force. Once the approximate separation 720 has beenestablished, the locking members 230 can be moved into engagement byallowing the knob 280 to move proximally, such as in response to theproximally acting biasing force exerted by the retention spring 240 asshown in FIG. 7D.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7E, the knob 280 can be rotated to controlinfinite adjustment resulting in an adjusted separation 730. In theillustrated example, rotation of the second housing member 500 can beisolated from the extension shaft 300 by the locking members 230. Aspreviously discussed, the locking members 230 can be spherical members.As a result, the locking members 230 may spin with the rotation of thesecond housing member 500, thereby isolating the extension shaft 300from that rotation, which can help reduce unintended movement of theextension shaft 300 due to rotation.

Accordingly, a monopod has been discussed herein that provides bothincremental adjustment as well as infinite adjustment for the positionof an extension shaft. The incremental adjustment as well as theinfinite adjustment are controlled and manipulated by a single actuator.In at least one example, the actuator is a knob that is moved parallelto the central axis provide the incremental adjustment. In such anexample, the knob can rotated relative to the central axis to provideinfinite adjustment. In other examples, the actuator can have adifferent configuration such that transverse or lateral movement of theactuator or some portion of the actuator relative to the shaft allowsfor infinite adjustment. Such a configuration can allow an operator toquickly extend the extension shaft to near a desired extension using theincremental adjustment and then to fine tune the position of theextension shaft with the infinite adjustment to the desired position.Additional adjustments can be performed quickly using the same process.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. An adjustable support for a firearm, comprising: an extension shafthaving a distal end, a proximal end, a central axis, and a plurality ofengagement features formed at a plurality of axial locations between thedistal end and the proximal end; a housing assembly configured to housethe extension shaft and defining a reference datum; at least one lockingmember operatively associated with the housing assembly and configuredselectively engage the engagement features; and an actuator operativelyassociated with the housing assembly, wherein translation of theactuator relative to the central axis moves the locking members into andout of engagement with the engagement features on the extension shaftand wherein rotation of the actuator about the central axis moves thedistal end of the extension shaft away from the reference datumassociated with the housing assembly.
 2. The adjustable support of claim1, wherein translation of the actuator relative to the central axis istranslation parallel to the central axis.
 3. The adjustable support ofclaim 1, wherein translation parallel to the central axis moves thelocking member radially inward and outward relative to the extensionshaft.
 4. The adjustable support of claim 3, wherein the locking memberincludes a spherical locking member.
 5. The adjustable support of claim1, wherein the engagement features include alternative grooves andridges.
 6. An adjustable support for a firearm, comprising: an extensionshaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a central axis, and aplurality of engagement features formed at a plurality of axiallocations between the distal end and the proximal end; a housingassembly having a reference datum, a first housing member configured toreceive at least a portion of the extension shaft, and a second housingmember configured to receive at least a portion of the first housingmember; at least one locking member operatively associated with thehousing assembly and configured selectively engage the engagementfeatures; and an actuator operatively associated with the housingassembly, wherein translation of the actuator parallel to the centralaxis moves the first housing assembly relative to the second housingassembly to move the locking members into and out of engagement with theengagement features on the extension shaft and wherein rotation of theactuator relative about the central axis moves the distal end of theextension shaft away from the reference datum, the actuator beingconfigured to move parallel to the central axis independently ofrotation about the central axis.
 7. The adjustable support of claim 6,wherein the first housing member includes receiving recesses definedtherein configured to receive at least a portion of each of the lockingmembers.
 8. The adjustable support of claim 7, wherein the secondhousing member includes an interior lumen defined therein forming aninterior surface, wherein the interior surface has an annular grooveformed therein such that alignment of the annular groove and thereceiving recesses allows the locking features to move out of engagementwith the engagement features on the extension shaft and whereinalignment of the receiving recesses with the inner surface adjacent theannular groove moves the locking features into engagement with theengagement features on the extension shaft.
 9. The adjustable support ofclaim 8, wherein a proximal end of the second housing member includes athreaded portion.
 10. The adjustable support of claim 9, wherein thehousing assembly further includes a threaded third housing memberconfigured to be threadingly coupled to the threaded portion of theproximal end of the second housing member and wherein rotation of theactuator about the central axis threads and unthreads the second housingmember to and from the third housing member.
 11. An adjustable supportfor a firearm, comprising: an extension shaft having a distal end, aproximal end, a central axis, and a plurality of engagement featuresformed at a plurality of axial locations between the distal end and theproximal end; a housing assembly having: a first housing member having ashaft portion extending distally from a proximal end toward a distalend, a flared portion positioned distally from the shaft portion, afirst lumen extending proximally from the distal end and beingconfigured to receive at least a portion of the extension shaft, andwherein a plurality of receiving recesses are defined in the firsthousing member and are in communication with the first lumen, a secondhousing member having a second lumen defined therein extendingproximally from a distal end of the second housing member toward aproximal end, the second lumen being configured to receive at least aportion of the first housing member, an annular groove defined in aninner surface of the second housing member, and alternating tabs andslots formed adjacent the distal end of the second housing member; aplurality of locking members positioned between the inner housing of thesecond housing member and the first housing member in the receivingrecesses; and an actuator operatively associated with the housingassembly, the actuator being configured to move the first housing memberparallel to the central axis relative to the second housing member tomove the receiving recesses into and out of alignment with the annulargroove in the second housing member to move the locking member into andout of engagement with the engagement features on the extension shaft,the actuator being further configured to rotate the second housingmember relative to the central axis independently of movement of thefirst housing member parallel to the central axis.
 12. The adjustablesupport of claim 11, wherein further comprising a biasing member betweenthe distal end of the first housing member and the extension shaft. 13.The adjustable support of claim 11, wherein the shaft of the firsthousing member extends proximally of a proximal end of the secondhousing member.
 14. The adjustable support of claim 13, furthercomprising a biasing member positioned between the proximal end of thefirst housing member and the proximal end of the second housing member.15. The adjustable support of claim 11, wherein a proximal end of thesecond housing member includes a threaded portion.
 16. The adjustablesupport of claim 15, further comprising a third housing member having athreaded distal portion configured to have the threaded portion of theproximal end of the second housing member coupled thereto, wherein therotation of the actuator about the central axis threads and unthreadsthe second housing member from the third housing member to move thedistal end of the extension shaft independently from extension of theextension shaft relative to the first housing member.